Facilities Management

Development Planning and Design

The development planning and design department within the Facilities Management division plans and designs sustainable, accessible, innovative, and future-focused facilities on Stellenbosch University’s five campuses.

Our purpose

To ensure the orderly planning and design of Stellenbosch University’s built environment in a sustainable manner. We aim to maximise the university’s development potential without compromising the evolving urban amenity and character, in alignment with the Vision and Mission of the institution.

We strive to

create an accessible environment which accommodates and values diversity;.
foster an inclusive and transformative, safe and sustainable built environment.
ensure the successful provision of innovative and agile spaces for teaching, learning, research, accommodation, sport and recreation, and support services.

This department conducts continuous research to set and develop standard guidelines for the detailed design and specification of facilities, to comply with the University’s strategic goals of accessibility, inclusivity, and excellence by:

being actively involved in the planning phase of each building project;
ensuring that projects are aligned to SU’s strategic goals, priorities and expectations;
conducting feasibility studies and high-level cost estimates;
consulting with clients regarding design and planning of physical spaces; and
applying sound financial management principles in budgeting and strategic project management;
effecting short-, medium-, and long-term space management.

The development planning and design division compiles design specification guidelines for (amongst others):

heritage
sustainability
universal access and transformation
space norms and furniture
teaching and learning facilities
student housing
architectural
landscape
mobility and non-motorised traffic (NMT) routes
security

Space Management Guidelines

Our Development Planning and Design team developed a comprehensive set of space management guidelines.

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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) portal

Stellenbosch University has hundreds of buildings on thousands of hectares of land. Every one of these buildings has assets and components which need to be tracked. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) makes this possible by mapping all these assets through multiple platforms and systems and consolidating the information in one place.

Compared with other universities, SU has been at the forefront in South Africa in applying the GIS system. It has successfully pulled a range of previously fragmented systems into an integrated computer-aided facilities management system.

Capital Projects

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The department is also responsible for annual and quarterly reporting to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) regarding the progress of all infrastructure projects funded by DHET.

Applications for funding from DHET for infrastructure projects through the Infrastructure Efficiency Grant are managed by the department.

Our design principles

The Development Planning and Design division prioritises:

WELL‐BEING

We design for well‐being

TRANSFORMATION

We strive to create an inclusive and universal accessible built environment.

INTEGRATION

We aim for Integrated planning and collaboration with all role players.

HEALTH

We design for optimum health

AGILITY

We create flexible and adaptable spaces

CAMPUS IDENTITY

We respect the unique evolving character and identity of the built environment

INNOVATION

We create future focused and innovative spaces

SUSTAINABILITY

We accommodate SU’s sustainability goals and strategies

ACCESSIBLE

We strive to create a safe integrated non‐motorized transport (NMT) environment

Spatial Development Framework (SDF) principles:

Stellenbosch University’s integrated Spatial Development Framework (SDF) is a high-level guideline for the future development of the built environment of the campus. The SDF, developed by the Facilities Management division, is guided by key spatial, planning, and institutional factors when identifying the future built environment needs of the university. The framework outlines high-level spatial design strategies with the objective of providing SUFM with a holistic and cohesive overview for future planning.